Mazda Mpv Recalls

The Mazda MPV has 39 recalls spanning the 1989–2006 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a passenger-side airbag inflator defect on 2004–2006 models where the inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.

The airbag inflator concern on 2004–2006 models is the most pressing issue for late-production owners. Some of these vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall using inflators of the same flawed design, meaning prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the risk. A separate wiring issue on 2004 models means the passenger-side airbag may not deploy at all in a crash. The 2005–2006 model years are specifically flagged for vehicles registered in certain northern and high-altitude states where temperature and humidity conditions accelerate inflator degradation.

On the mechanical side, 2003 models have a fog light socket that can work loose from heat or vibration, drop inside the front bumper, and in rare cases generate enough heat to burn the bumper material. The 2002 model year has a throttle icing issue tied to a misrouted PCV hose from a prior emissions repair, where moisture can freeze and prevent the throttle from closing normally in cold weather. The 2001 model year has a cruise control actuator cable that can break and contact the accelerator cable, preventing the engine from slowing when the driver lifts off the throttle. A separate 2001 concern involves passenger airbag modules with inadequate welds that may not deploy in a crash.

The 2000 model year carries several issues: fuel injectors that do not match the intake manifold and can leak fuel near ignition sources, a rear door child lock that can fail to engage and allow the door to open while driving, a liftgate that can drop suddenly if the stay damper hardware corrodes and breaks, and a brake pipe layout that does not meet stopping-distance requirements under partial brake failure. The 2000 model also has a cruise control cable defect mirroring the 2001 issue.

Going further back, 1989–1998 models share an ignition switch defect where internal grease can become conductive over time, overheat, and raise the risk of a fire. The 1991 model has rear brake linings that can increase in friction as they wear, triggering premature anti-lock brake activation and unpredictable stopping behavior, along with front seatbelt buckle release buttons that can crack and jam the buckle so it cannot be released in a crash. The 1990 model has a similar rear brake friction issue that can startle the driver with unexpected pedal feel and noise. The 1989 model has rear brakes that can become overly aggressive at low speed and lock the rear wheels, a vacuum brake check valve that can stick in cold temperatures and reduce power-assist after the first brake application, and a third-row center seatbelt attachment that may not hold under crash loads.